The villages of Bromham and Rowde will be a riot of red for the anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War in August through plans made by the headteacher at St Nicholas Primary School in Bromham.

Hilary McMeekin was prompted to plant as many poppies as possible after seeing news of a similar effort in Kent.

She said: “I read that a Royal British Legion branch in Kent was planting poppies to commemorate the outbreak of war in 1914.

“I thought it was a lovely idea to have a wash of Flanders poppies in our area for the commemoration.”

The school took advantage of a link-up between the Royal British Legion and B&Q to donate £1 to the charity for every packet of poppy seeds sold. The school’s friends’ association bought enough to plant the school grounds and give each child a packet to take home.The authorities at St Nicholas Church joined in and poppies have been planted in a cross shape in the church grounds.